Enhanced carrier aggregation activation and scheduling request procedures

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) configured with several component carriers (CCs) may select one or more CCs for fast activation. The UE may, in various examples, autonomously select the CCs for fast activation or may receive signaling indicating such CCs. In some cases, the UE may place the selected CCs in a semi-active state by detecting and synchronizing the CCs while refraining from control channel monitoring. In other examples, the UE may identify a set of CCs that may be activated quickly based on channel conditions or that have activation interdependency, such as CCs in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) group. The UE may then trigger an activation for one of the selected CCs, determine it is capable of fast activation, and begin monitoring, e.g., for control information, after a reduced delay period based on the fast activation.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/141,765 by Vajapeyam et al., entitled“Enhanced Carrier Aggregation Activation And Scheduling RequestProcedures” filed Apr. 1, 2015, assigned to the assignee hereof, andexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communication, and morespecifically to enhanced carrier aggregation (eCA) activation andscheduling request procedures.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA)systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) systems, (e.g., a Long Term Evolution(LTE) system). A wireless multiple-access communications system mayinclude a number of base stations, each simultaneously supportingcommunication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwiseknown as user equipment (UE).

In some cases, a UE may communicate with one or more base stations onmultiple frequency bands, known as carriers. After configuration of thecarriers, the UE may refrain from monitoring those carriers not beingused (i.e., inactive or deactivated carriers) in order to conservepower. Activating a large number of carriers may take a significantamount of time. This may result in a delay or disruption in service, ormay otherwise negatively affect communications by or with the UE.

SUMMARY

A user equipment (UE) configured with several component carriers (CCs)in carrier aggregation (CA) may select one or more CCs for fastactivation. For example, the UE may place the selected CCs in asemi-activated state by detecting and synchronizing the CCs; but, unlikeCCs in an activated state, a UE may refrain from monitoring controlinformation or CCs in a semi-activated state. In other examples, the UEmay identify a set of CCs that may be activated quickly based on channelconditions or that have activation interdependency; for instance, CCs ina physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) group may be capable of fastactivation. The UE may trigger an activation for one of the selectedCCs, determine it is capable of fast activation, and begin monitoring(e.g., for control information) after a reduced delay period based onthe fast activation.

Additionally or alternatively, a UE configured for CA with a primary CC(PCC) and a secondary CC with a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)(PUCCH SCC) may receive a scheduling request (SR) configuration thatincludes a common SR transmission threshold for both the PCC and thePUCCH SCC. For instance, a UE may transmit an SR on the PUCCH if an SRcounter is below the threshold. Or, in some cases, if the SR counterexceeds the threshold, the UE may initiate a random access procedure onthe PCC or the PUCCH SCC, or both.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may includetriggering activation of one or more CCs, determining an activation modefrom a plurality of activation modes for the one or more CCs in responseto the triggering, and monitoring the one or more CCs based at least inpart on the activation mode.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for triggering activation of one or more CCs, means fordetermining an activation mode from a plurality of activation modes forthe one or more CCs in response to the triggering, and means formonitoring the one or more CCs based at least in part on the activationmode.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and operable,when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to triggeractivation of one or more CCs, determine an activation mode from aplurality of activation modes for the one or more CCs in response to thetriggering, and monitor the one or more CCs based at least in part onthe activation mode.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableto trigger activation of one or more CCs, determine an activation modefrom a plurality of activation modes for the one or more CCs in responseto the triggering, and monitor the one or more CCs based at least inpart on the activation mode.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the activation mode may be orinclude a reduced activation period that is shorter than a standardactivation period. Each activation mode of the plurality of activationmodes may be associated with a corresponding activation period; anddetermining the activation mode may include selecting the activationmode from a set of activation modes comprising at least one secondactivation mode associated with the reduced activation period.Additionally or alternatively, some examples may include processes,features, means, or instructions for determining that the activationmode by selecting the activation mode from a set of activation modesthat includes at least one second activation mode with an activationperiod that is longer than the reduced activation period.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, triggering activation of theone or more CCs may include receiving an activation command from aserving cell. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples,triggering activation of the one or more CCs includes identifying atrigger condition that includes a channel measurement or an RRCcondition, or both.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, monitoring the one or moreCCs includes monitoring a control channel of the one or more CCs,monitoring channel information of the one or more CCs, or both.Additionally or alternatively, some examples may include processes,features, means, or instructions for performing a detection procedure ora synchronization procedure prior to triggering activation the one ormore CCs based at least in part on the activation mode.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting an indication that theone or more CCs are associated with the activation mode. Additionally oralternatively, in some examples, the message may be a CSI message forthe one or more CCs, a MAC layer message, an RRC message, a measurementreport, or any combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for measuring a channel quality of theone or more CCs, and determining the activation mode for the one or moreCCs may be based at least in part on the measured channel quality.Additionally or alternatively, some examples may include processes,features, means, or instructions for identifying an activated CC, anddetermining the activation mode may be based at least in part on theactivated CC.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for receiving an indication of anactivation group that may include the one or more CCs, and identifyingthe one or more CCs may be based at least in part on the activationgroup. Additionally or alternatively, some examples may includeprocesses, features, means, or instructions for triggering deactivationof the one or more CCs, determining a deactivation mode, and maintainingsynchronization with the one or more CCs based at least in part on thedeactivation mode.

A further method of wireless communication is described. The method mayinclude receiving a carrier aggregation (CA) configuration that includesa primary CC with a and a secondary CC with a PUCCH, and receiving an SRconfiguration that includes an SR transmission threshold for the primaryCC, the secondary CC, or both.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. Theapparatus may include means for receiving a CA configuration thatincludes a primary CC and a secondary CC with a PUCCH, and means forreceiving an SR configuration that includes an SR transmission thresholdfor the primary CC, the secondary CC, or both.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and operable,when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to receive a CAconfiguration that includes a primary CC and a secondary CC with asecondary PUCCH, and receive an SR configuration that includes an SRtransmission threshold for the primary CC or the secondary CC, or both.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunication is described. The code may include instructions executableto receive a CA configuration that includes a primary CC and a secondaryCC with a secondary PUCCH, and receive an SR configuration that includesan SR transmission threshold for the primary CC or the secondary CC, orboth.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for receiving the SR configuration onthe primary CC and the secondary PUCCH enabled CC. Some examples mayinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for determining thatan SR counter is less than the SR transmission threshold, andtransmitting an SR on the secondary CC with a PUCCH based at least inpart on the determination. Additionally or alternatively, some examplesmay include processes, features, means, or instructions for determiningthat an SR counter is greater than the SR transmission threshold andreleasing PUCCH and sounding reference signal (SRS) resources. Someexamples may also include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor initiating a RACH procedure based at least in part on thedetermination or the release of PUCCH, or both.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the SR configuration isassociated with an SR counter for the primary CC, the secondary CC, orboth. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the SRconfiguration is associated with a first SR counter for the primary CCand a second SR counter for the secondary CC.

A further method of wireless communication is described. The method mayinclude transmitting an activation message to a wireless device for oneor more CCs, determining an activation mode for the one or more CCs, andcommunicating with the wireless device using the one or more CCs basedat least in part on the activation mode.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. Theapparatus may include means for transmitting an activation message to awireless device for one or more CCs, means for determining an activationmode for the one or more CCs, and means for communicating with thewireless device using the one or more CCs based at least in part on theactivation mode.

A further apparatus for wireless communication is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and operable,when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to transmit anactivation message to a wireless device for one or more CCs, determinean activation mode for the one or more CCs, and communicate with thewireless device using the one or more CCs based at least in part on theactivation mode.

A further non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communication is described. The code may include instructionsexecutable to transmit an activation message to a wireless device forone or more CCs, determine an activation mode for the one or more CCs,and communicate with the wireless device using the one or more CCs basedat least in part on the activation mode.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the activation mode may beassociated with a reduced activation period, and determining theactivation mode may include selecting the activation mode from a set ofactivation modes may include at least one second activation mode with anactivation period that is longer than the reduced activation period.Additionally or alternatively, some examples may include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting a semi-activationsignal to the wireless device, and determining the activation mode maybe based at least in part on the semi-activation signal.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for receiving a message from thewireless device indicating the one or more CCs, and determining theactivation mode may be based at least in part on the message.Additionally or alternatively, some examples may include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting an indication of anactivation group to the wireless device, and the activation group mayinclude the one or more CCs and determining the activation mode may bebased at least in part on the activation group.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for activating an anchor carrier forthe wireless device, and determining the activation mode may be based atleast in part on activating the anchor carrier.

The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilizedas a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying outthe same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims.Characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both theirorganization and method of operation, together with associatedadvantages will be better understood from the following description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of thefigures is provided for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure are described in reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communications system thatsupports enhanced carrier aggregation (eCA) activation and schedulingrequest procedures in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wireless communications system thatsupports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate exemplary process flows in a system or systems thatsupport eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6-8 show block diagrams of a wireless device or devices thatsupport eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a UE thatsupports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10-12 show block diagrams of a wireless device or devices thatsupport eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a base stationthat supports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 14-21 illustrate methods for eCA activation and scheduling requestprocedures in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A user equipment (UE) configured with several component carriers (CCs)in carrier aggregation (CA) may select one or more CCs for fastactivation, which may reduce delay associated with activating configuredCCs from a deactivated state. The benefits of such fast activation maybe pronounced in a CA configuration having a large number of CCs orother variables that may introduce undesirable system performance.Improvements from fast activation may thus be significant in systemsemploying enhanced carrier aggregation (eCA), for example, because eCAoperations may involve a large number of component carriers (CCs), useof unlicensed spectrum, or use of enhanced CCs.

Individually activating a large number of cells, e.g., up to 32 cells ineCA, may involve significant signaling overhead and a relatively largeactivation delay across carriers. Fast activation techniques may thus beemployed to modify CC activation procedures or reduce the activationtime for one or several configured CCs. For example, activation timingmay be modified to accommodate activation dependencies among secondarycells (SCells) or secondary CCs (SCCs) in a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH) group or for cells operating in unlicensed spectrumusing listen-before-talk (LBT) operations.

In some examples, a UE may place some CCs in a semi-activated stateprior to activation. This semi-activation may include performing celldetection and synchronization, but may not include control channelmonitoring or channel state reporting. In other examples, a UE mayidentify a subset of configured CCs that are capable of fast activationbased on channel conditions. Activation of CCs with good radio linkquality may be more expedient, as compared with CCs having poor linkquality, and so identifying CCs based on link quality may allow a UE tocompress activation procedures. In another example, a UE may identifyCCs for fast activation based on inter-dependency between activationstates. Some CCs may be activated faster, as compared with other CCs, ifthe CC to be activated is related or dependent on an already-activatedCC.

In addition to fast activation for CCs, the present disclosure alsodescribes techniques for enabling scheduling requests (SRs) to betransmitted on SCells or SCCs, which may decrease delays associated withconveying SRs in a CA configuration. For example, a UE may utilizeeither a PCC or a PUCCH SCC, or both, for transmitting an SR. Various SRthresholds may be employed to facilitate SR transmissions in the contextof PUCCH groups.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of awireless communication system. Specific examples are then described forsemi-activation, channel quality based activation, and group basedactivation. These and other aspects of the disclosure are furtherillustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams,system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to eCA activation andscheduling request procedures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100that supports fast activation and scheduling request procedures inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wirelesscommunications system 100 includes base stations 105, UEs 115, and acore network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-advanced (LTE-a) network.

The base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 115 viaone or more base station antennas. Each of the base stations 105 mayprovide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area110. The communication links 125 shown in wireless communications system100 may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE 115 to a basestation 105, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station 105 toa UE 115. The base stations 105 may communicate with UEs 115 in a fastactivation mode. In some examples, base stations 105 may be configuredto receive SRs via a PCC or a PUCCH SCC, or both.

The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communicationssystem 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 mayalso be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a remoteunit, a wireless device, an access terminal, a handset, a user agent, aclient, or some other suitable terminology. A UE 115 may be a cellularphone, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a personal computer, atablet, a personal electronic device, a machine type communication (MTC)device or the like. The UEs 115 may communicate with base stations 105.In some examples, UEs 115 may be configured to autonomously, or inaccordance with received signaling, identify and activate carriers usinga fast activation mode, as describe below. Additionally oralternatively, UEs 115 may be configured to transmit SRs withindifferent PUCCH groups. An SR configuration may be received on theprimary CC or a PUCCH SCC, or both.

The base stations 105 may support, and may communicate with the corenetwork 130 and with one another to identify, signal, or otherwisesupport fast activation and various SR transmissions as described below.For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1, etc.). The base stations 105may also communicate with one another over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2,etc.) either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network 130).The base stations 105 may perform radio configuration and scheduling forcommunication with the UEs 115, or may operate under the control of abase station controller (not shown). In various examples, base stations105 may be macro cells, small cells, hot spots, or the like. The basestations 105 may also be referred to as eNodeBs (eNBs) 105 in someexamples.

A communication link 125 may include one or more frequency rangesorganized into carriers. A carrier may also be referred to as a CC, alayer, a channel, etc. The term “component carrier” of CC may refer toeach of the multiple carriers utilized by a UE in carrier aggregation(CA) operation, and may be distinct from other portions of systembandwidth. For instance, a component carrier may be a relativelynarrow-bandwidth carrier susceptible of being utilized independently orin combination with other component carriers. Each component carrier mayprovide the same capabilities as an isolated carrier based on release 8or release 9 of the LTE standard. Individual CC may thus be backwardscompatible with legacy UEs 115 (e.g., UEs 115 implementing LTE release 8or release 9); while other UEs 115 (e.g., UEs 115 implementingpost-release 8/9 LTE versions), may be configured with multiplecomponent carriers in a multi-carrier mode. Multiple component carriersmay be aggregated or utilized concurrently to provide some UEs 115 withgreater bandwidth and, e.g., higher data rates. A base station 105 mayconfigure a UE 115 for communication using a number of CCs, but if theCCs are not actively being used, they remain in an inactive ordeactivated state (that is, the UE 115 may not monitor them forscheduled transmissions).

A carrier used for DL may be referred to as a DL CC, and a carrier usedfor UL may be referred to as an UL CC. A UE 115 may be configured withmultiple DL CCs and one or more UL CCs for carrier aggregation. Eachcarrier may be used to transmit control information (e.g., referencesignals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, data, etc. Somewireless configurations may be limited to five component carriers per UE115. In some configurations, however, eCA operations may be employed,and an increased number of carriers may be used (e.g., up to 32 CCs). Ifa large number of CCs are configured, it may take significant time toactivate each CC, especially if the activation of a given CC depends onprior activation of another CC. Thus, a UE may identify some CCs ascandidates for fast activation by performing semi-activation steps,determining that the CCs have good channel quality, or by determiningthat an anchor carrier has been activated.

In some cases, a CC may be limited to a frequency range of up to 20 MHz.Different CCs may utilize different combinations of frequency divisionduplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD). In some cases, a UE115 may be served by cells from two or more base stations 105 that areconnected by a non-ideal backhaul link 134 in dual connectivityoperation. For example, the connection between the serving base stations105 may not be sufficient to facilitate precise timing coordination.Thus, in some cases, the cells serving a UE 115 may be divided intomultiple timing adjustment groups (TAGs). Each TAG may be associatedwith a different timing offset, such that the UE 115 may synchronize ULtransmissions differently for different UL carriers.

A UE 115 may communicate with a single base station 105 utilizingmultiple carriers, and may also communicate with multiple base stationssimultaneously on different carriers. Each cell of a base station 105may include an DL CC or an UL CC, or both. The coverage area 110 of eachserving cell for a base station 105 may be different (e.g., CCs ondifferent frequency bands may experience different path loss). In someexamples, one carrier is designated as the primary carrier, or PCC, fora UE 115, which may be served by a primary cell (PCell). Primary cellsmay be semi-statically configured by higher layers (e.g., radio resourcecontrol (RRC), etc.) on a per-UE basis. Certain uplink controlinformation (UCI), e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), may becarried by the primary cell. Additional carriers may be designated assecondary carriers, or SCCs, which may be served by secondary cells(SCells). Secondary cells may likewise be semi-statically configured ona per-UE basis. In some cases, secondary cells may not include or beconfigured to transmit the same control information as the primary cell.In some cases, however, one or more SCells may be designated to carryPUCCH, and other SCells may be organized into PUCCH groups based onwhich CC is used to carry the associated UL control information. In somecases, a PCell may include both a primary UL CC and a primary DL CC,while an SCell may include a DL CC (and an UL CC if it is PUCCHenabled).

A UE 115 attempting to access a wireless network, such as the system100, may perform an initial cell search by detecting a primarysynchronization signal (PSS) from a base station 105. The PSS may enablesynchronization of slot timing and may indicate a physical layeridentity value. The UE 115 may then receive a secondary synchronizationsignal (SSS). The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization, and mayprovide a cell identity value, which may be combined with the physicallayer identity value to identify the cell. The SSS may also enabledetection of a duplexing mode and a cyclic prefix length. Some systems,such as TDD systems, may transmit an SSS but not a PSS. Both the PSS andthe SSS may be located in the central 62 and 72 subcarriers of acarrier, respectively. After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 mayreceive a master information block (MIB), which may be transmitted inthe physical broadcast control channel (PBCH). The MIB may containsystem bandwidth information, an system frame number (SFN), and aphysical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH) configuration. After decodingthe MIB, the UE 115 may receive one or more system information blocks(SIBs). For example, SIB1 may contain cell access parameters andscheduling information for other SIBs. Decoding SIB1 may enable the UE115 to receive SIB2. SIB2 may contain RRC configuration informationrelated to random access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, PUCCH,physical uplink control channel (PUSCH), power control, soundingreference signal (SRS), and cell barring. In some cases, a UE 115 mayreceive one or more synchronization or system information signals on aCC prior to activating the CC (i.e., it may place the CC in asemi-activated state) in order to facilitate subsequent fast activationof the CC.

After the UE 115 decodes SIB2, it may transmit a RACH preamble to a basestation 105. For example, the RACH preamble may be randomly selectedfrom a set of 64 predetermined sequences. This may enable the basestation 105 to distinguish between multiple UEs 115 trying to access thesystem simultaneously. The base station 105 may respond with a randomaccess response that provides an UL resource grant, a timing advance anda temporary cell specific radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI). TheUE 115 may then transmit an RRC connection request along with atemporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI), if the UE 115 haspreviously been connected to the same wireless network, or a randomidentifier. The RRC connection request may also indicate the reason theUE 115 is connecting to the network (e.g., emergency, signaling, dataexchange, etc.). The base station 105 may respond to the connectionrequest with a contention resolution message addressed to the UE 115,which may provide a new C-RNTI. If the UE 115 receives a contentionresolution message with the correct identification, it may proceed withRRC setup. If the UE 115 does not receive a contention resolutionmessage, e.g., if there is a conflict with another UE 115, it may repeatthe RACH process by transmitting a new RACH preamble. In some cases, aRACH procedure may also be initiated based on a communication failurewith a cell. For example, a RACH may be initiated if a schedulingrequest (SR) retransmission counter reaches a maximum value withoutreceiving a grant.

PUCCH may be used for UL acknowledgements (ACKs), scheduling requests(SRs) and channel quality indicators (CQI) and other UL controlinformation. A PUCCH may be mapped to a control channel defined by acode and two consecutive resource blocks. UL control signaling maydepend on the presence of timing synchronization for a cell. PUCCHresources for SR and CQI reporting may be assigned (and revoked) throughRRC signaling. In some cases, resources for SR may be assigned afteracquiring synchronization through a RACH procedure. In other cases, anSR may not be assigned to a UE 115 through the RACH (i.e., synchronizedUEs may or may not have a dedicated SR channel). PUCCH resources for SRand CQI may be lost when the UE is no longer synchronized.

A base station 105 may gather channel condition information from a UE115 in order to efficiently configure or schedule the channel. Thisinformation may be sent from the UE 115 in the form of a channel statereport. A channel state report may contain an RI requesting a number oflayers to be used for DL transmissions (e.g., based on the antenna portsof the UE 115), a PMI indicating a preference for which precoder matrixshould be used (based on the number of layers), and a channel qualityindicator (CQI) representing the highest modulation and coding scheme(MCS) that may be used. CQI may be calculated by a UE 115 afterreceiving predetermined pilot symbols such as cell specific referencesignals (CRS) or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).Rank indicator (RI) and precoding matrix indicator (PMI) may be excludedif the UE 115 does not support spatial multiplexing (or is not insupport spatial mode). The types of information included in the reportdetermines a reporting type. Channel state reports may be periodic oraperiodic. That is, a base station 105 may configure a UE 115 to sendperiodic reports at regular intervals, and may also request additionalreports as needed. Aperiodic reports may include wideband reportsindicating the channel quality across an entire cell bandwidth, UEselected reports indicating a subset of the best subbands, or configuredreports in which the subbands reported are selected by the base station105. A UE 115 may transmit information relevant to fast activation,e.g., information about which carriers are suitable for fast action, inchannel state reports.

Thus, a UE 115 configured with a large number of CCs may select one ormore CCs for fast activation. For example, the UE 115 may place theselected CCs in a semi-activated state by detecting and synchronizingthe CCs. In other examples, the UE 115 may identify a set of CCs thatmay be activated quickly based on channel conditions or that haveactivation interdependency (such as CCs in a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH group). The UE 115 may then trigger an activation for oneof the selected CCs, determine it is capable of fast activation, andbegin monitoring after a reduced delay based on the fast activation.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200for eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless communicationssystem 200, may for instance, include a UE 115 that may identify one orseveral CCs 205 for fast activation based on preforming steps forsemi-activation, identifying CCs 205 with good radio link quality, oridentifying a group with an activated anchor CC 205. Wirelesscommunications system 200 may include a UE 115-a, base station 105-a,and base station 105-b, which may be examples of the correspondingdevices described with reference to FIG. 1. The methods described mayalso apply to a CA or eCA configuration based on CCs received from asingle base station.

In some examples, UE 115-a may place some CCs 205 in a semi-activatedstate prior to activation. Semi-activation may include performing celldetection and synchronization, and may not include control channelmonitoring or channel state reporting. This may reduce the time used ifthe semi-activated CC 205 is subsequently activated. Semi-activation maybe triggered in several ways. For example, UE 115-a may receive a mediaaccess control (MAC) or radio resource control (RRC) message from basestation 105-a, or UE 115-a may initiate the semi-activation autonomously(e.g., based on the cell channel quality). UE 115-a may also deactivatea cell using these or other signal types, or in some cases, based on theexpiration of a timer. Once a UE 115-a has semi-activated one or moreCCs 205, it may transmit an indication to base station 105-a by, forexample, transmitting valid or out-of-range CSI for the semi-active CCor via MAC or RRC signaling such as in a measurement report.

In some cases, UE 115-a may identify a subset of configured CCs 205 thatare capable of fast activation based on channel conditions. For example,activation of CCs 205 with good radio link quality may not take as muchtime as activation of other CCs with poor link quality; so if CCs 205with good radio link quality are identified in advance, and UE 115-asignals the identified CCs 205 to a serving cell, the activationprocedures may be compressed as compared to previously standardizedoperations, for example. For instance, if UE 115-a determines thatchannel measurements for a CC 205 are above a threshold, UE 115-a maysend an indication to base station 105-a in a measurement report or in aMAC control message. UE 115-a may also trigger an indication when the CC205 may no longer be fast-activated—e.g., when a timer expires or whenradio conditions become worse.

In another example, UE 115-a may identify CCs 205 for fast activationbased on inter-dependency between activation states. For instance, someCCs 205 may be activated faster, as compared to previously standardizedoperations, as long as at least one other cell is already activated,such as when a PUCCH enabled secondary cell (SCell) is already activatedfor a PUCCH group. Group activation (e.g., semi-activation oridentification) may be implicit or explicit. Implicit activation may bebased on the activation of an “anchor” cell, such as the PUCCH enabledcell. If the anchor cell is activated, UE 115-a may identify the otherconfigured cells in the dependent group as candidates for fastactivation, which may be autonomously or based on a previous fastactivation configuration. In some cases, the UE may then signal thegroup to base station 105-a. For explicit activation, base station 105-amay indicate that a set of CCs 205 are to be candidates for fastactivation when the anchor cell is activated.

In some cases, the fast activation may be based on both UE 115-a andbase station 105-a awareness of which CCs are ready for fast activation.This may enable either UE 115-a or base station 105-b to reduce awaiting interval associated with the activation. For example, in somecases, base station 105-a may give UE 115-a a certain amount of time toperform detection and synchronization. This time period may be reducedif the detection or synchronization is already accomplished or if thechannel conditions are good. Thus, base station 105-a may wait for areduced period before proceeding to communication with UE 115-a. Inother words, in some examples, fast activation may include or beaccomplished by both UE 115-a and base station 105-b operating accordingto a reduced time interval for detection and synchronization than thedevices would employ in a typical, or previously standardized activationprocedure.

Wireless communications system 200 may also illustrate a configurationfor enabling scheduling requests (SRs) to be transmitted on SCells todecrease a delay in conveying the SR. For example, UE 115-a may utilizea single SR pool, and may use the first configured opportunity totransmit SRs. The SR may be transmitted based on an SR counter and aconfigured SR transmission maximum, either of which may be based on cellgroups such as PUCCH groups. For example, a single SR transmissionmaximum parameter may be used across multiple cells, and the SR countermay not distinguish between cells. If the SR counter exceeds the SRtransmission maximum, UE 115-a may release PUCCH/SRS transmissions(e.g., PUCCH or SRS resources) for all cells in all cell groups. Inanother example, a single SR transmission maximum may be used acrosscell groups, and each group may utilize a separate SR counter. If the SRcounter exceeds the SR transmission maximum for a given group, UE 115-amay release PUCCH/SR transmissions for all cells in that group. Inanother example, each group may have a separate SR transmission maximum(and separate counters). If the SR counter for the group exceeds the SRtransmission maximum for that group, UE 115-a releases all PUCCH/SRS forthe cells in the PUCCH group.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a process flow 300 in a system thatsupports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow 300 mayillustrate an example in which UE 115-b places one or more CCs in asemi-activation or semi-active state by preforming detection orsynchronization. Process flow 300 may include UE 115-b and base station105-c, which may be examples of corresponding devices described withreference to FIGS. 1-2.

At 305, UE 115-b and base station 105-c may establish a CA or eCAconfiguration including a number of CCs. For example, UE 115-b mayreceive a CA configuration that may include a PCC and a PUCCH SCC.

At 310, UE 115-b and base station 105-c may establish a fast activationconfiguration including a fast activation mode. For example, basestation 105-c may transmit a semi-activation signal to UE 115-b.

At 315, UE 115-b may receive synchronization or system informationsignals to detect or synchronize with one or more identified CCs. Thus,UE 115-b may perform the detection or synchronization procedure prior totriggering activation of the CCs based on the activation mode. In somecases, UE 115-b may transmit a message to base station 105-c indicatingthat the CCs are associated with the activation mode (e.g., that theyare semi-activated). In some examples, the message includes a CSImessage for the CCs, a MAC layer message, an RRC message, or ameasurement report. In some cases, detection or synchronization may beone aspect of a semi-activated state, and semi-activated CCs maymaintain the synchronization until they are activated or deactivated.

At 320, UE 115-b may trigger an activation for the semi-activated CCs.This may include receiving an activation command from base station105-c. In some examples, triggering activation of the CCs includesidentifying a trigger condition, which may include a channel measurementor an RRC condition, or both.

At 325, UE 115-b may determine an activation mode (e.g., select a fastactivation procedure) for the semi-activated CCs. In some examples, theactivation mode may include or may be associated with a reducedactivation period, that is, an activation period that is shorter than astandard activation period. The UE 115-b may select the activation modefrom a set of activation modes, which may include a second activationmode (e.g., a default, typical, or non-fast activation mode) with anactivation period that may be longer than the reduced activation periodof the fast activation mode. In some cases, base station 105-c may alsodetermine the activation mode for the CCs.

At 330, UE 115-b may monitor system information or control channels frombase station 105-c based on the fast activation (e.g., based on theactivation mode). UE 115-b and base station 105-c may then communicateusing the CCs based on the activation mode; for example, they may begincommunication sooner by compressing delays or wait timers used duringthe activation process. In some cases, monitoring control channels andsystem information may be an aspect of being in an activated state.Thus, in some examples configured CCs may be neither synchronized normonitored, semi-activated CCs may be synchronized but not monitored, andactivated CCs may be both synchronized and monitored.

In some cases, UE 115-b may trigger deactivation of the CCs, determine adeactivation mode, and maintain synchronization with the CCs based onthe deactivation mode.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process flow 400 in a system thatsupports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow 400 mayillustrate an example in which UE 115-c identifies one or more CCs forfast activation based on channel quality. Process flow 400 may includeUE 115-c and base station 105-d, which may be examples of correspondingdevices described with reference to FIGS. 1-2.

At 405, UE 115-c and base station 105-d may establish a CA or eCAconfiguration including a number of CCs. For example, UE 115-c mayreceive a CA configuration that includes a PCC and a PUCCH SCC.

At 410, UE 115-c and base station 105-d may establish a fast activationconfiguration including a fast activation mode based on channel quality.

At 415, UE 115-c may measure a channel quality of the CCs and at 420,may identify one or more CCs for fast activation mode based on having agood channel quality, which may be an objective measure of the abilityof the UE 115-c to efficiently utilize the channel. In some cases, UE115-c may transmit a message to base station 105-d indicating that theCCs are associated with the activation mode. In some examples, themessage may include a CSI message for the CCs, a MAC layer message, anRRC message, or a measurement report.

At 425, UE 115-c may trigger an activation for the identified CCs withgood channel quality. In some examples, triggering activation of the CCsincludes receiving an activation command from base station 105-d. Insome examples, triggering activation of the CCs includes identifying atrigger condition that may include a channel measurement or an RRCcondition, or both.

At 430, UE 115-c may determine an activation mode (e.g., select a fastactivation procedure) for the semi-activated CCs. In some examples, theactivation mode may be associated with a reduced activation period, inother words an activation period that is shorter than a standardactivation period. The UE 115-c may select the activation mode with thereduced activation period from a set of activation modes, such as a setincluding a standard activation mode associated with the standardactivation period and a fast activation mode associated with the reducedactivation period. In some cases, base station 105-d may also determinethe activation mode for the CCs (e.g., by receiving an indication fromUE 115-c).

At 435, UE 115-c may monitor system information or control channels frombase station 105-d based on the fast activation (e.g., based on theactivation mode). UE 115-c and base station 105-d may then communicateusing the CCs based on the activation mode. For instance, as describedelsewhere herein, UE 115-c and base station 105-d may begincommunication sooner by compressing one or more delays or wait timersused during the activation process.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a process flow 500 in a system thatsupports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow 500 mayillustrate an example in which UE 115-d identifies one or more CCs forfast activation based on an interdependent activation group such asPUCCH group. Process flow 500 may include UE 115-d and base station105-e, which may be examples of corresponding devices described withreference to FIGS. 1-2.

At 505, UE 115-d and base station 105-e may establish a CA or eCAconfiguration including a number of CCs. For example, UE 115-d mayreceive a CA configuration including a PCC and a PUCCH SCC, which may bean anchor carrier for an activation group.

At 510, UE 115-d and base station 105-e may establish a fast activationconfiguration including a fast activation mode. For example, UE 115-dmay receive an indication of an activation group that may include one ormore CCs associated with an anchor carrier (such as a PUCCH-enabledSCell or PUCCH SCC).

At 515, UE 115-d may activate an anchor carrier—autonomously or based ona command from base station 105-e. At 520, UE 115-d may then identifyone or more CCs for fast activation based on the anchor carrier; and, insome examples, based on an indication from base station 105-e). In somecases, UE 115-d may transmit a message to base station 105-e indicatingthat the CCs are associated with the activation mode. In some examples,the message includes a CSI message for the CCs, a MAC layer message, anRRC message, or a measurement report.

At 525, UE 115-d may trigger an activation for some or all of the groupof CCs. In some examples, triggering activation of the CCs includesreceiving an activation command from base station 105-e. Additionally oralternatively, triggering activation of the CCs may include identifyinga trigger condition including a channel measurement or an RRC condition,or both.

At 530, UE 115-d may determine and activation mode (e.g., select a fastactivation procedure) for the one or CCs based on the group. In someexamples, the activation mode includes a reduced activation period. Insome cases UE 115-d may select the activation mode from a set ofactivation modes, such as a set including a standard activation modeassociated with the standard activation period and a fast activationmode associated with the reduced activation period. In some cases, basestation 105-e may also determine the activation mode for the CCs.

At 535, UE 115-d may monitor system information or control channels frombase station 105-e based on the fast activation (e.g., based on theactivation mode). UE 115-d and base station 105-e may then communicateusing the CCs based on the activation mode.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a wireless device 600 that supports eCAactivation and scheduling request procedures in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 600 may be an exampleof aspects of a UE 115 described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Wirelessdevice 600 may include a receiver 605, a fast activation module 610, ora transmitter 615. Wireless device 600 may also include a processor.Each of these components may be in communication with one another.

The receiver 605 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to eCAactivation and scheduling request procedures, etc.). Information may bepassed on to the fast activation module 610, and to other components ofwireless device 600.

The fast activation module 610 may trigger activation of one or moreCCs, determine an activation mode for the CCs in response to thetriggering, and monitor the CCs based on the activation mode.

The transmitter 615 may transmit signals received from other componentsof wireless device 600. In some examples, the transmitter 615 may becollocated with the receiver 605 in a transceiver module. Thetransmitter 615 may include a single antenna, or it may include severalantennas.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a wireless device 700 that supports eCAactivation and scheduling request procedures in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 700 may be an exampleof aspects of a wireless device 600 or a UE 115 described with referenceto FIGS. 1-6. Wireless device 700 may include a receiver 605-a, a fastactivation module 610-a, or a transmitter 615-a. Wireless device 700 mayalso include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another. The fast activation module 610-a mayalso include an activation trigger module 705, an activation modemanager 710, and a monitoring module 715.

The receiver 605-a may receive information which may be passed on tofast activation module 610-a, and to other components of wireless device700. The fast activation module 610-a may perform the operationsdescribed with reference to FIG. 6. The transmitter 615-a may transmitsignals received from other components of wireless device 700.

The activation trigger module 705 may trigger activation of one or moreCCs as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The activation mode manager 710 may determine an activation mode for theCCs in response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS.2-5. The activation mode manager 710 may be configure or identify areduced activation period. The activation mode manager 710 may alsoselect the activation mode from a set of activation modes that mayinclude, for example, a standard activation mode associated with astandard activation period and the fast activation mode associated withthe reduced activation period.

The monitoring module 715 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In some examples,monitoring the CCs includes monitoring (e.g., blindly decoding) acontrol channel of the CCs or monitoring (e.g., measuring) channelinformation of the CCs, or both.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a fast activation module 610-b whichmay be a component of a wireless device 600 or a wireless device 700that supports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The fastactivation module 610-b may be an example of aspects of a fastactivation module 610 described with reference to FIGS. 6-7. The fastactivation module 610-b may include an activation trigger module 705-a,an activation mode manager 710-a, and a monitoring module 715-a. Each ofthese modules may perform the functions described with reference to FIG.7. The fast activation module 610-b may also include an activationcommand module 810, an autonomous activation module 815, asynchronization module 820, a fast activation indication module 825, achannel quality module 830, an activation group module 835, adeactivation module 840, a PUCCH enabled SCell module 845, an SR module850, an SR counter 855, and a RACH module 860.

The activation command module 810 may trigger activation of the CCs,which may be include or be based on receiving an activation command froma serving cell as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The autonomous activation module 815 may enable wireless device toautonomously trigger CC activation. For example, triggering activationof the CCs may include identifying a trigger condition that includes achannel measurement or an RRC condition, or both, as described withreference to FIGS. 2-5.

The synchronization module 820 may perform a detection procedure or asynchronization procedure prior to triggering activation the CCs, whichmay be based on the activation mode as described with reference to FIGS.2-5. The synchronization module 820 may also maintain synchronizationwith the CCs based on the deactivation mode.

The fast activation indication module 825 may transmit an indicationthat the CCs are associated with the activation mode as described withreference to FIGS. 2-5. In some examples, the message includes a CSImessage for the CCs, a MAC layer message, an RRC message, or ameasurement report, or any combination thereof.

The channel quality module 830 may measure a channel quality of the CCs,and determining the activation mode for the CCs may be based on themeasured channel quality as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The activation group module 835 may identify an activated CC (i.e., ananchor carrier of an activation group), and determining the activationmode may be based on the activated CC as described with reference toFIGS. 2-5. The activation group module 835 may also receive anindication of an activation group including the CCs; identifying the CCsmay thus be based on the activation group. In some cases, the activationgroup module 835 may also activate an anchor carrier for the wirelessdevice, and determining the activation mode may be based on activatingthe anchor carrier.

The deactivation module 840 may trigger deactivation of the CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. The deactivation module 840 mayalso determine a deactivation mode.

The PUCCH enabled SCell module 845 may receive a CA configuration thatincludes a PCC and a PUCCH SCC as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.The PUCCH enabled SCell module 845 may also transmit an SR on the PUCCHSCC based on the determination.

The SR module 850 may receive an SR configuration that includes an SRtransmission threshold for the PCC and the PUCCH SCC as described withreference to FIGS. 2-5. The SR configuration may be received on theprimary CC or the secondary CC with a PUCCH, or both. In some examples,the SR configuration includes a common or single SR threshold, which maybe associated with a counter for the PCC or the PUCCH SCC, or both.

The SR counter 855 may determine that an SR count is less than the SRtransmission threshold as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. The SRcounter 855 may also determine that an SR count is greater than the SRtransmission threshold. Upon determining that the SR counter 855 isgreater than the threshold (e.g., the SR count has exceed thethreshold), the SR counter 855 may cause PUCCH or SRS resources, orboth, to be released. In some examples, the SR configuration isassociated with one SR counter for the PCC and a second SR counter forthe PUCCH SCC.

The RACH module 860 may initiate a RACH procedure based on thedetermination as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a system 900 including a UE 115 configuredthat supports eCA activation and scheduling request procedures inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. System 900may include UE 115-d, which may be an example of a wireless device 600,a wireless device 700, or a UE 115 described with reference to FIGS. 1,2 and 6-8. UE 115-d may include a fast activation module 910, which maybe an example of a fast activation module 610 described with referenceto FIGS. 6-8. UE 115-d may also include an eCA module 925. UE 115-d mayalso include components for bi-directional voice and data communicationsincluding components for transmitting communications and components forreceiving communications. For example, UE 115-d may communicatebi-directionally with base station 105-e or base station 105-f.

ECA module 925 may perform eCA operations as described above such ascoordinating communications for a large number of CCs, communicationsover unlicensed spectrum, or communication with one or more eCCS.

UE 115-d may also include a processor 905, and memory 915 (includingsoftware (SW) 920), a transceiver 935, and one or more antenna(s) 940,each of which may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another(e.g., via buses 945). The transceiver 935 may communicatebi-directionally, via the antenna(s) 940 or wired or wireless links,with one or more networks, as described above. For example, thetransceiver 935 may communicate bi-directionally with a base station 105or another UE 115. The transceiver 935 may include a modem to modulatethe packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna(s) 940 fortransmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna(s)940. While UE 115-d may include a single antenna 940, UE 115-d may alsohave multiple antennas 940 capable of concurrently transmitting orreceiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory 915 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 915 may storecomputer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 920including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor 905 toperform various functions described herein (e.g., eCA activation andscheduling request procedures, etc.). Alternatively, thesoftware/firmware code 920 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 905 but cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) toperform functions described herein. The processor 905 may include anintelligent hardware device, (e.g., a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC,etc.)

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a wireless device 1000 that supportseCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 1000 may bean example of aspects of a base station 105 described with reference toFIGS. 1-9. Wireless device 1000 may include a receiver 1005, a basestation fast activation module 1010, or a transmitter 1015. Wirelessdevice 1000 may also include a processor. Each of these components maybe in communication with each other.

The receiver 1005 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to eCAactivation and scheduling request procedures, etc.). Information may bepassed on to the base station fast activation module 1010, and to othercomponents of wireless device 1000. In some examples, the receiver 1005may receive a message from the wireless device indicating the one ormore CCs, and determining the activation mode may be based on themessage.

The base station fast activation module 1010 may transmit an activationmessage to a wireless device for one or more CCs, determine anactivation mode for the CCs, and communicate with the wireless deviceusing the CCs based on the activation mode.

The transmitter 1015 may transmit signals received from other componentsof wireless device 1000. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may becollocated with the receiver 1005 in a transceiver module. Thetransmitter 1015 may include a single antenna, or it may include severalantennas.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a wireless device 1100 that supportseCA activation and scheduling request procedures in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device 1100 may bean example of aspects of a wireless device 1000 or a base station 105described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Wireless device 1100 may includea receiver 1005-a, a base station fast activation module 1010-a, or atransmitter 1015-a. Wireless device 1100 may also include a processor.Each of these components may be in communication with one another. Thebase station fast activation module 1010-a may also include anactivation message module 1105, a BS activation mode manager 1110, and afast activation communication module 1115.

The receiver 1005-a may receive information, which may be passed on tobase station fast activation module 1010-a, and to other components ofwireless device 1000. The base station fast activation module 1010-a mayperform the operations described with reference to FIG. 10. Thetransmitter 1015-a may transmit signals received from other componentsof wireless device 1100.

The activation message module 1105 may transmit an activation message toa wireless device for one or more CCs as described with reference toFIGS. 2-5.

The BS activation mode manager 1110 may determine an activation mode forthe CCs as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The fast activation communication module 1115 may communicate with thewireless device using the CCs based on the activation mode as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a base station fast activationmodule 1010-b which may be a component of a wireless device 1000 or awireless device 1100 for eCA activation and scheduling requestprocedures in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.The base station fast activation module 1010-b may be an example ofaspects of a base station fast activation module 1010 described withreference to FIGS. 10-11. The base station fast activation module 1010-bmay include an activation message module 1105-a, a BS activation modemanager 1110-a, and a fast activation communication module 1115-a. Eachof these modules may perform the functions described with reference toFIG. 11. The base station fast activation module 1010-b may also includea semi-activation module 1205, and a BS activation group module 1210.

The semi-activation module 1205 may transmit a semi-activation signal tothe wireless device, and determining the activation mode may be based onthe semi-activation signal as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

The BS activation group module 1210 may transmit an indication of anactivation group to the wireless device, where the activation group mayinclude the CCs and determining the activation mode may be based on theactivation group as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a system 1300 including a base station 105configured for eCA activation and scheduling request procedures inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. System 1300may include base station 105-g, which may be an example of a wirelessdevice 1000, a wireless device 1100, or a base station 105 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 10-12. Base Station 105-g may includea base station fast activation module 1310, which may be an example of abase station fast activation module 1010 described with reference toFIGS. 10-12. Base Station 105-g may also include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting communications and components for receiving communications.For example, base station 105-g may communicate bi-directionally with UE115-e or UE 115-f.

In some cases, base station 105-g may have one or more wired backhaullinks. Base station 105-g may have a wired backhaul link (e.g., S1interface, etc.) to the core network 130. Base station 105-g may alsocommunicate with other base stations 105, such as base station 105-h andbase station 105-i via inter-base station backhaul links (e.g., an X2interface). Each of the base stations 105 may communicate with UEs 115using the same or different wireless communications technologies. Insome cases, base station 105-g may communicate with other base stationssuch as 105-h or 105-i utilizing base station communication module 1325.In some examples, base station communication module 1325 may provide anX2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communication networktechnology to provide communication between some of the base stations105. In some examples, base station 105-g may communicate with otherbase stations through core network 130. In some cases, base station105-g may communicate with the core network 130 through networkcommunications module 1330.

The base station 105-g may include a processor 1305, memory 1315(including software (SW) 1320), transceiver 1335, and antenna(s) 1340,which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with oneanother (e.g., over bus system 1345). The transceivers 1335 may beconfigured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antenna(s) 1340,with the UEs 115, which may be multi-mode devices. The transceiver 1335(or other components of the base station 105-g) may also be configuredto communicate bi-directionally, via the antennas 1340, with one or moreother base stations (not shown). The transceiver 1335 may include amodem configured to modulate the packets and provide the modulatedpackets to the antennas 1340 for transmission, and to demodulate packetsreceived from the antennas 1340. The base station 105-g may includemultiple transceivers 1335, each with one or more associated antennas1340. The transceiver may be an example of a combined receiver 1005 andtransmitter 1015 of FIG. 10.

The memory 1315 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1315 may also storecomputer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 1320containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause theprocessor 1305 to perform various functions described herein (e.g., eCAactivation and scheduling request procedures, selecting coverageenhancement techniques, call processing, database management, messagerouting, etc.). Alternatively, the software/firmware code 1320 may notbe directly executable by the processor 1305 but be configured to causethe computer, e.g., when compiled and executed, to perform functionsdescribed herein. The processor 1305 may include an intelligent hardwaredevice, e.g., a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc. The processor 1305may include various special purpose processors such as encoders, queueprocessing modules, base band processors, radio head controllers, DSPs,and the like.

The base station communication module 1325 may manage communicationswith other base stations 105. In some cases, a communications managementmodule may include a controller or scheduler for controllingcommunications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other base stations 105.For example, the base station communication module 1325 may coordinatescheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for various interferencemitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission.

The components of wireless device 600, wireless device 700, fastactivation module 610, system 900, wireless device 1000, wireless device1100, base station fast activation module 1010, and system 1300 mayeach, individually or collectively, be implemented with at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) adapted to perform someor all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, thefunctions may be performed by one or more other processing units (orcores), on at least one integrated circuit (IC). In other examples,other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g.,Structured/Platform ASICs, an field-programmable gate array (FPGA), oranother semi-custom IC), which may be programmed in any manner known inthe art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole orin part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to beexecuted by one or more general or application-specific processors.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1400 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1400 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1405, the UE 115 may trigger activation of one or more CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1405 may be performed by the activation triggermodule 705 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1410, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1410 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1415, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1415 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1500 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1500 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1500 may also incorporate aspects of method 1400 of FIG. 14.

At block 1505, the UE 115 may perform a detection procedure or asynchronization procedure prior to triggering activation one or more CCsbased on the activation mode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1505 may be performed bythe synchronization module 820 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 1510, the UE 115 may trigger activation of the CCs as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations ofblock 1510 may be performed by the activation trigger module 705 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1515, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1515 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1520, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1520 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1600 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1600 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1600 may also incorporate aspects of methods 1400, and 1500 of FIGS.14-15.

At block 1605, the UE 115 may transmit an indication that CCs areassociated with the activation mode as described with reference to FIGS.2-5. In certain examples, the operations of block 1605 may be performedby the fast activation indication module 825 as described with referenceto FIG. 8.

At block 1610, the UE 115 may trigger activation of the CCs as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations ofblock 1610 may be performed by the activation trigger module 705 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1615, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1615 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1620, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1620 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1700 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1700 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1700 may also incorporate aspects of methods 1400, 1500, and 1600 ofFIGS. 14-16.

At block 1705, the UE 115 may measure a channel quality of the CCs,where determining the activation mode for the CCs may be based on themeasured channel quality as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. Incertain examples, the operations of block 1705 may be performed by thechannel quality module 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 1710, the UE 115 may trigger activation of one or more CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1710 may be performed by the activation triggermodule 705 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1715, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1715 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1720, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1720 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1800 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1800 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1800 may also incorporate aspects of methods 1400, 1500, 1600, and 1700of FIGS. 14-17.

At block 1805, the UE 115 may identify an activated CC, and determiningthe activation mode may be based on the activated CC as described withreference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations of block1805 may be performed by the activation group module 835 as describedwith reference to FIG. 8.

At block 1810, the UE 115 may trigger activation of one or more CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1810 may be performed by the activation triggermodule 705 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1815, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1815 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1820, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1820 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1900 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 1900 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 1900 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method1900 may also incorporate aspects of methods 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, and1800 of FIGS. 14-18.

At block 1905, the UE 115 may trigger activation of one or more CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1905 may be performed by the activation triggermodule 705 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1910, the UE 115 may determine an activation mode for the CCsin response to the triggering as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1910 may be performed bythe activation mode manager 710 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1915, the UE 115 may monitor the CCs based on the activationmode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1915 may be performed by the monitoring module 715as described with reference to FIG. 7.

At block 1920, the UE 115 may trigger deactivation of the CCs asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, theoperations of block 1920 may be performed by the deactivation module 840as described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 1925, the UE 115 may determine a deactivation mode as describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations ofblock 1925 may be performed by the deactivation module 840 as describedwith reference to FIG. 8.

At block 1930, the UE 115 may maintain synchronization with the CCsbased on the deactivation mode as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5.In certain examples, the operations of block 1930 may be performed bythe synchronization module 820 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2000 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 2000 may be implementedby a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGS. 1-13.For example, the operations of method 2000 may be performed by the fastactivation module 610 as described with reference to FIGS. 6-9. In someexamples, a UE 115 may execute a set of codes to control the functionalelements of the UE 115 to perform the functions described below.Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may perform aspects thefunctions described below using special-purpose hardware. The method2000 may also incorporate aspects of methods 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700,1800, and 1900 of FIGS. 14-19.

At block 2005, the UE 115 may receive a CA configuration including aprimary CC and a PUCCH SCC as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. Incertain examples, the operations of block 2005 may be performed by thePUCCH enabled SCell module 845 as described with reference to FIG. 8.

At block 2010, the UE 115 may receive an SR configuration that mayinclude an SR transmission threshold for the primary CC, the secondaryCC, or both with a PUCCH as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. TheSR configuration may be received on the primary CC or the secondary CCwith a PUCCH, or both. In certain examples, the operations of block 2010may be performed by the SR module 850 as described with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2100 for eCA activationand scheduling request procedures in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The operations of method 2100 may be implementedby a base station 105 or its components as described with reference toFIGS. 1-13. For example, the operations of method 2100 may be performedby the base station fast activation module 1010 as described withreference to FIGS. 10-13. In some examples, a base station 105 mayexecute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the basestation 105 to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the base station 105 may perform aspects the functionsdescribed below using special-purpose hardware. The method 2100 may alsoincorporate aspects of methods 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, and2000 of FIGS. 14-20.

At block 2105, the base station 105 may transmit an activation messageto a wireless device for one or more CCs as described with reference toFIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations of block 2105 may beperformed by the activation message module 1105 as described withreference to FIG. 11.

At block 2110, the base station 105 may determine an activation mode forthe CCs as described with reference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples,the operations of block 2110 may be performed by the BS activation modemanager 1110 as described with reference to FIG. 11.

At block 2115, the base station 105 may communicate with the wirelessdevice using the CCs based on the activation mode as described withreference to FIGS. 2-5. In certain examples, the operations of block2115 may be performed by the fast activation communication module 1115as described with reference to FIG. 11.

Thus, methods 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, and 2100 mayprovide for eCA activation and scheduling request procedures. It shouldbe noted that methods 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, and 2100describe possible implementation, and that the operations and the stepsmay be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementationsare possible. In some examples, aspects from two or more of the methods1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, and 2100 may be combined.

The description herein provides examples, and is not limiting of thescope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit,substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate.Also, features described with respect to some examples may be combinedin other examples.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunications systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), singlecarrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A CDMAsystem may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95,and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases 0 and A are commonly referred toas CDMA2000 1×, 1×, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to asCDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includesWideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system mayimplement a radio technology such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM). An OFDMA system may implement a radio technologysuch as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11(Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA andE-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunications system (UMTS).3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-advanced (LTE-a) are new releasesof Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that use E-UTRA.UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-a, and Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) are described in documents from an organizationnamed “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB aredescribed in documents from an organization named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may beused for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as well asother systems and radio technologies. The description herein, however,describes an LTE system for purposes of example, and LTE terminology isused in much of the description above, although the techniques areapplicable beyond LTE applications.

In LTE/LTE-A networks, including such networks as described herein, theterm evolved Node B (eNB) may be generally used to describe the basestations. The wireless communications system or systems described hereinmay include a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network in which different typesof eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example,each eNB or base station may provide communication coverage for a macrocell, a small cell, or other types of cell. The term “cell” is a 3GPPterm that can be used to describe a base station, a carrier or componentcarrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (e.g.,sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

Base stations may include or may be referred to by those skilled in theart as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an accesspoint, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), Home NodeB, a HomeeNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The geographic coverage areafor a base station may be divided into sectors making up only a portionof the coverage area. The wireless communications system or systemsdescribed herein may include base stations of different types (e.g.,macro or small cell base stations). The UEs described herein may be ableto communicate with various types of base stations and network equipmentincluding macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, relay base stations, and thelike. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas for differenttechnologies.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEswith service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell is alower-powered base station, as compared with a macro cell, that mayoperate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.)frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may include pico cells,femto cells, and micro cells according to various examples. A pico cell,for example, may cover a small geographic area and may allowunrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the networkprovider. A femto cell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., ahome) and may provide restricted access by UEs having an associationwith the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEsfor users in the home, and the like). An eNB for a macro cell may bereferred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred toas a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB maysupport one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells(e.g., component carriers). A UE may be able to communicate with varioustypes of base stations and network equipment including macro eNBs, smallcell eNBs, relay base stations, and the like.

The wireless communications system or systems described herein maysupport synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronousoperation, the base stations may have similar frame timing, andtransmissions from different base stations may be approximately alignedin time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations may havedifferent frame timing, and transmissions from different base stationsmay not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be usedfor either synchronous or asynchronous operations.

The downlink transmissions described herein may also be called forwardlink transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be calledreverse link transmissions. Each communication link describedherein—including, for example, wireless communications system 100 and200 of FIGS. 1 and 2—may include one or more carriers, where eachcarrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveformsignals of different frequencies). Each modulated signal may be sent ona different sub-carrier and may carry control information (e.g.,reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, userdata, etc. The communication links described herein (e.g., communicationlinks 125 of FIG. 1) may transmit bidirectional communications usingfrequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., using paired spectrum resources)or TDD operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). Framestructures may be defined for FDD (e.g., frame structure type 1) and TDD(e.g., frame structure type 2).

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedescribed examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the above description may berepresented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magneticfields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combinationthereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combinationof a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, multiplemicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described above can be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as usedin a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrasesuch as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusivelist such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C meansA or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media cancomprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is notto be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to beaccorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:triggering activation of one or more component carriers (CCs); selectingan activation mode from a plurality of activation modes for the one ormore CCs in response to the triggering, wherein each activation mode ofthe plurality of activation modes is associated with a correspondingactivation period, and wherein the plurality of activation modescomprises at least one second activation mode with an activation periodshorter than a first activation period corresponding to a firstactivation mode; and monitoring the one or more CCs based at least inpart on the activation mode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theselected activation mode of the plurality of activation modes is thesecond activation mode.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein triggeringactivation of the one or more CCs comprises: receiving an activationcommand from a serving cell, or identifying a trigger conditioncomprising a channel measurement, a radio resource control (RRC)condition, or both.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:performing a detection procedure or a synchronization procedure prior totriggering activation the one or more CCs based at least in part on theactivation mode.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting an indication that the one or more CCs are associated withthe activation mode.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:measuring a channel quality of the one or more CCs, wherein selectingthe activation mode for the one or more CCs is based at least in part onthe measured channel quality.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying an activated CC or receiving an indication of anactivation group comprising the one or more CCs, wherein determining theactivation mode is based at least in part on the activated CC or theactivation group.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:triggering deactivation of the one or more CCs; determining adeactivation mode; and maintaining synchronization with the one or moreCCs based at least in part on the deactivation mode.
 9. An apparatus forwireless communication, comprising: a processor; memory in electroniccommunication with the processor; and instructions stored in the memoryand operable, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to:trigger activation of one or more component carriers (CCs); select anactivation mode from a plurality of activation modes for the one or moreCCs in response to the triggering, wherein each activation mode of theplurality of activation modes is associated with a correspondingactivation period, and wherein the plurality of activation modescomprises at least one second activation mode with an activation periodshorter than a first activation period corresponding to a firstactivation mode; and monitor the one or more CCs based at least in parton the activation mode.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theselected activation mode of the plurality of activation modes is thesecond activation mode.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theinstructions are operable to cause the apparatus to: receive anactivation command from a serving cell, or identify a trigger conditioncomprising a channel measurement, an RRC condition, or both.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions are operable to cause theapparatus to: perform a detection procedure or a synchronizationprocedure prior to triggering activation the one or more CCs based atleast in part on the activation mode.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the instructions are operable to cause the apparatus to:transmit an indication that the one or more CCs are associated with theactivation mode.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructionsare operable to cause the apparatus to: measure a channel quality of theone or more CCs, wherein selecting the activation mode for the one ormore CCs is based at least in part on the measured channel quality. 15.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions are operable to causethe apparatus to: identify an activated CC or receive an indication ofan activation group comprising the one or more CCs, wherein determiningthe activation mode is based at least in part on the activated CC or theactivation group.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructionsare operable to cause the apparatus to: trigger deactivation of the oneor more CCs; determine a deactivation mode; and maintain synchronizationwith the one or more CCs based at least in part on the deactivationmode.
 17. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means fortriggering activation of one or more component carriers (CCs); means forselecting an activation mode from a plurality of activation modes forthe one or more CCs in response to the triggering, wherein eachactivation mode of the plurality of activation modes is associated witha corresponding activation period, and wherein the plurality ofactivation modes comprises at least one second activation mode with anactivation period shorter than a first activation period correspondingto a first activation mode; and means for monitoring the one or more CCsbased at least in part on the activation mode.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein means for triggering activation of the one or more CCscomprises: means for receiving an activation command from a servingcell, or identifying a trigger condition comprising a channelmeasurement, a radio resource control (RRC) condition, or both.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, further comprising: means for performing adetection procedure or a synchronization procedure prior to triggeringactivation the one or more CCs based at least in part on the activationmode.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: means fortransmitting an indication that the one or more CCs are associated withthe activation mode.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:means for measuring a channel quality of the one or more CCs, whereinselecting the activation mode for the one or more CCs is based at leastin part on the measured channel quality.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17,further comprising: means for identifying an activated CC or receivingan indication of an activation group comprising the one or more CCs,wherein determining the activation mode is based at least in part on theactivated CC or the activation group.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17,further comprising: means for triggering deactivation of the one or moreCCs; means for determining a deactivation mode; and means formaintaining synchronization with the one or more CCs based at least inpart on the deactivation mode.
 24. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE),the code comprising instructions executable to: trigger activation ofone or more component carriers (CCs); select an activation mode from aplurality of activation modes for the one or more CCs in response to thetriggering, wherein each activation mode of the plurality of activationmodes is associated with a corresponding activation period, and whereinthe plurality of activation modes comprises at least one secondactivation mode with an activation period shorter than a firstactivation period corresponding to a first activation mode; and monitorthe one or more CCs based at least in part on the activation mode. 25.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein theinstructions are operable to cause the apparatus to: receive anactivation command from a serving cell, or identify a trigger conditioncomprising a channel measurement, an RRC condition, or both.
 26. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein theinstructions are operable to cause the apparatus to: perform a detectionprocedure or a synchronization procedure prior to triggering activationthe one or more CCs based at least in part on the activation mode. 27.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein theinstructions are operable to cause the apparatus to: transmit anindication that the one or more CCs are associated with the activationmode.
 28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24,wherein the instructions are operable to cause the apparatus to: measurea channel quality of the one or more CCs, wherein selecting theactivation mode for the one or more CCs is based at least in part on themeasured channel quality.
 29. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 24, wherein the instructions are operable to cause theapparatus to: identify an activated CC or receive an indication of anactivation group comprising the one or more CCs, wherein determining theactivation mode is based at least in part on the activated CC or theactivation group.
 30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 24, wherein the instructions are operable to cause the apparatusto: trigger deactivation of the one or more CCs; determine adeactivation mode; and maintain synchronization with the one or more CCsbased at least in part on the deactivation mode.